Ajax defeats Panathinaikos 13-12 in a record-breaking 34-penalty shootout after their Europa League tie ends 1-1 on aggregate, securing a place in the playoff round.
Bollywood Fever: Ajax and Panathinaikos made history on Thursday night with a dramatic and record-setting shootout in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round. The marathon shootout, which ended 13-12 in favor of Ajax after 34 penalties, set a new UEFA competition record for the longest penalty shootout.
The two-legged tie between the teams had ended 1-1 on aggregate, with Ajax securing a 1-0 victory in Greece last week. However, Panathinaikos leveled the aggregate score with a late goal in the 89th minute in Amsterdam, forcing the match into extra time and eventually to the epic shootout.
This extraordinary shootout eclipsed the previous UEFA record of 32 penalties, set during the 2007 European U-21 Championship semi-final when the Netherlands defeated England 13-12. The world record for the longest shootout remains the 56 penalties taken in an Israeli third-tier match earlier this year.
Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer was instrumental in his team’s victory, making five crucial saves and even converting one of his own penalties. Despite Dutch international Brian Brobbey missing two penalties during the shootout, Ajax held their nerve. Pasveer reflected on the surreal experience, saying, “Five is quite a lot, yes. I save a penalty every now and then, but I don’t think you often experience something as crazy as this.”
The shootout was finally decided when Ajax defender Anton Gaaei delivered the winning penalty, sending the Eredivisie club through to the playoff round, where they will face Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok later this month.
This thrilling encounter will go down in history, not only for the nail-biting drama but also for setting a new benchmark in UEFA competitions.
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